This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1908. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... VIII Friendship's Garland The beam of a lantern enveloped her and her gossamered surroundings; presently it blazed full upon her, discovered her flushed and reproachful face, curtained in hair. She saw a tall person, bareheaded, in what seemed to be white clothes, and, by a chance ray, that he was sallow, black-haired, smiling, and had black eyes. A young man! She had no fears left; she was on her own ground again. "What under the sky are you doing here?" he said. She almost laughed. "I'm caught in a hare-wire. It hurts very much." "It would, you know. Let me look." He knelt beside her, and then his quick fingers searched for the wire. As they touched hers she felt them cool and nervous. "I've got it. I say! it's nearly through your stocking. No wonder you cried--but now you know why a hare cries. Quiet now--I'll have it off in a minute." He dived for a knife, talking all the time. "I dare say you think that I set that wire for a hare, and caught you. You're quite wrong. I don't kill hares, and I don't eat 'em; too nearly related to us, I believe. One minute more--" and he nipped the wire. "There--you are free. You can leap and you can run. Perhaps you'd care to tell me why you battle in these brakes, tearing your frock to ribbons and scratching your eyes out, when you might walk that road like a Christian lady. Just as you please-- why, good Lord, you've got a bike! It beats cockfighting. But don't tell me unless you care to; perhaps it's a secret." She stiffened her shoulders for the fray. "I wish to tell you becausej'm ashamed of myself now. Of course, it's not a secret. I have punctured my bicycle, and have to walk home--three miles more. And I saw your light in front of me, and was frightened." His eyes were as bright as her own, but much more misc...